Maybe we feel a kinship with these folks because we also live in a treehouse-like space, in the midst of unusually dense urban forest — yes, forest, and not the usual euphemism for concrete cityscape. In any case, Jeff and Linda Beattie's kitchen is the warm, awe-inspiring center of their new, downsized Edmonds home, worthy of a great deal of envy on our part.

A reverse floor plan (kitchen and living room on top floors, bedrooms on bottom) and the desire for an open kitchen motivated the Beatties to pay a great deal of attention to the design and storage (check out the wine bottle storage underneath the end of the counter). It makes sense; the kitchen is the one room visible from almost any spot on the main floor of the house.